UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

STRIPPING PERFORMANCE OF HOT MIX

ASPHALT (HMA) USING POLYMER AND
HYDRATED LIME AS ADDITIVES
EKARIZAN SHAFFIE
Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Master of Science
Faculty of Civil Engineering
February 2008
ABSTRACT
Stripping is one of the common type of pavement failure found in asphaltic pavements.
Besides high traffic impact stress, climatic factor such as temperature and moisture also
have profound effect on the durability of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. The
objective of this research is to evaluate and compare the stripping performance of
unmodified and rubber-polymer modified binder mixes with and without anti-stripping
additives in Superpave mix design (AASHTO TP4) procedure.
The study investigates four different dense graded Superpave HMA mixes. The first
mixture was a control specimen that contained no hydrated lime and unmodified binder.
The second mixture contained hydrated lime with unmodified binder. The third mixture
contained no hydrated lime but with rubber-polymer modified binder and the fourth
mixture contained hydrated lime with rubber-polymer modified binder. The hydrated
lime was used as anti-stripping additive. The addition of 40-mesh tyre crumbs and
polymer Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate (EVA) into binder was used to prepare rubber-polymer
modified binder. The optimum percentage of rubber crumb and EVA polymer was
selected based on the previous research done by Ibrahim, (2005). The boiling water test,
the modified Lottman's test, and the indirect tensile resilient modulus test were used to
evaluate the stripping performance in these mixes. This study also documents the effect
of different temperature on tensile strength ratio (TSR) and resilient modulus ratio
(RMR) on the HMA mixtures. Comparison of the physical conditions such as strength or
resilient modulus of the conditioned and unconditioned samples were used as a measure
to evaluate the stripping potential in HMA pavement. Statistical analysis was then
carried out to evaluate the significance of rubber polymer and hydrated lime on the
stripping performance of HMA mix.
Finding from this research work showed that rubber-polymer modified binder mixes
were found to exhibit better resistance to moisture damage compared to unmodified
binder mixes. The results also showed that the addition of hydrated lime as antistripping
additive is effective in all mixes, however greater resistance to moisture damage with
rubber-polymer" modified binder as compared to unmodified binder mixes. In addition, it
could be noted that temperature significantly affects the performance of the hot mix
asphalt. Statistical analysis of TSR and RMR results show there are significant different
for mix with the addition of hydrated lime and demonstrates a higher potential for
stripping resistance.
ii
COPYRIGHT UiTM
Candidate's Declaration
I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations
of Universiti Teknologi MARA. It is original and is the result of my own work, unless
otherwise indicated or acknowledged as referenced work. This thesis has not been
submitted to any other academic institution or non-academic institution for any other
degree of qualification.
In the event that my thesis be found to violate the conditions mentioned above, I
voluntarily waive the right of conferment of my degree and be subjected to the
disciplinary rules and regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Candidate's Name : EKARIZAN BT. SHAFFIE
Candidate's Signature : U/Mfflt.
Da t e : T/hl^.
0
.?.
COPYRIGHT UiTM
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Almighty Allah S.W.T. for
giving me the guidance and strength in completing this master thesis with success.
I also would like to extent my greatest thank you to all those who gave me the possibility
to complete this thesis. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude
to my supervisor Associate Prof. Dr. Ir. Mohd Yusof Abd. Rahman for his advice,
comments, guidance, support and encouragement during the completion of my study.
Special thanks are dedicated to Associate Prof. Dr. Ir. Zainab Mohamed as my
co-supervisor for sharing her ideas and information with me. This work would not have
been possible without their utmost capability and intelligence.
Furthermore, I am also indebted to Prof. Mustaque Hussain (Kansas State University),
Associate Prof. Dr. Rosli Hainin, Prof. Mohamed Rehan Karim, Associate Prof. Dr.
Azemi Samsuri, Associate Prof. Dr. Ismail Atan, Pn. Juraidah Hj. Ahmad whose
assistance enable me to complete this project. Their guidance and support have
motivated me to complete this project confidently.
I also would like to thank all other parties, those who have involved directly or indirectly
in making this research a very great success.
Finally, to my beloved family and friends, especially to my beloved husband Azman
Ibrahim whose patient and loves enabled me to complete this work. I owe you all, the
heartiest gratitude and thank you for your encouragement, inspiration and support.
Thanks for all the kindness. May the Almighty Allah S.W.T. bless us and be with us all
the time.
i i i
COPYRIGHT UiTM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
Pa ge
1
ii
iii
iv
ix
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study 1
1.2 Problem Statement 5
1.3 Objectives g
1.4 Hypothesis g
1.5 Study Approach g
1.6 Scope of the Study g
1.7 Significance of the Study g
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Moisture Susceptibility 10
2.2 Stripping \ \
2.3 Moisture-Related Problems 12
2.4 Moisture-Related Distresses 13
2.4.1 Bleeding, Cracking and Rutting 13
2.4.2 Ravelling 14
2.4.3 Localized Failure 15
2.5 Causes of Moisture-Related Distresses 15
2.5.1 Moisture-Sensitive Aggregates 15
iv
COPYRIGHT UiTM
2.5.2 Asphalt Binder Sensitivity ig
2.5.3 Presence of Water and Traffic jg
2.5.4 Pavement Design Considerations ig
2.5.5 Construction Issues \
2.6 The Mechanism of Moisture Damage 17
2.6.1 Detachment of the Asphalt Film from Aggregate 17
2.6.2 Displacement of the Asphalt Layer 17
2.6.3 Emulsification of the Asphalt Film 18
2.6.4 Pore Pressures 18
2.7 Test Methods to Predict Moisture Sensitivity of Hot Mix 19
Asphalt Pavements
2.8 Laboratory Test Methods 20
2.8.1 Loose Mixture Tests 21
2.8.2 Representative Mixture Tests 21
2.8.3 Compacted Mixture Tests 21
2.9 Laboratory Evaluation Moisture Susceptibility Tests 22
2.10 Treatments Applied to the Asphalt Binder and Aggregates 26
2.10.1 Treatments Applied to the Asphalt Binder 27
2.10.2 Treatments Applied to the Aggregates 27
2.11 Additives 28
2.11.1 Technical Reasons for Modification of an Asphalt 28
Binder
2.11.2 Ideal Pavement Binder 29
2.12 Polymer Modification 3 0
2.13 Types of Polymer 31
2.13.1 Rubber 34
2.13.2 Plastic 35
2.13.3 Combinations 36
2.13.4 Liquid Antistripping agent 36
v
COPYRIGHT UiTM
2.13.5 HydratedLime 37
2.14 Experience with Rubberised Bitumen Pavement in Malaysia 39
215 Modification of Bitumen using Ethelyne-Vinyl-Acetate(EVA) 40
Plastomer
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Experimental Process 42
3.2 Selection and Preparation of Materials 45
3.2.1 Rubber-Polymer Modified Binder 45
3.2.2 Antistripping Additives Addition Procedure 47
3.2.3 Aggregate Gradation (ASTM CI 17 & ASTM C136) 47
3.2.4 Specific Gravity of Aggregate (ASTM C127 & 48
ASTM CI28)
3.2.5 Fine Aggregate Angularity (AASHTO TP 33) 49
3.2.6 Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate 50
(ASTMD4791)
3.2.7 Clay Content or Sand Equivalent (ASTM D2419) 59
3.2.8 Toughness (ASTM C131)
5 1
3.2.9 Soundness (ASTM C88)
5 2
3.2.10 Deleterious Material (ASTM C142)
5 2
3.3 Selection of Design Aggregate Structure 53
3.3.1 Establish Trial Blends 53
3.3.2 Compact Trial Blends 54
3.3.3 Evaluate Trial Blends 55
3.3.4 Select Design Aggregate Structure 55
3.4 Selection of Design Asphalt Binder 57
3.4.1 Compact Design Aggregate Structure at Varying 57
Asphalt Binder Content
vi
COPYRIGHT UiTM
3.4.2 Determine Mixture Properties versus Asphalt Binder 58
Content
3.4.3 Select Design Asphalt Binder Content 58
3-5 Evaluation of Moisture Susceptibility 59
3.5.1 Boiling Water Test (ASTM D 3625) 59
3.5.2 Modified Lottman Test (AASHTO T 283) 59
3.5.3 Resilient Modulus Test (ASTM D 4123) 64
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
4-' Introduction 65
4.2 Selection of Materials 65
4.2.1 Aggregate Gradation 65
4.2.2 Specific Gravity of Aggregate 66
4.2.3 Consensus and Sources Aggregate Property Tests 67
4.3 Selection of Design Aggregate Structure 68
4.3.1 Establish Trial Blends 68
4.3.2 Compact Trial Blends 70
4.3.3 Trial Blends Evaluation 71
4.3.4 Select Design Aggregate Structure 72
4.4 Selection of Design Asphalt Binder 74
4.4.1 Design Aggregate Structure at Varying Asphalt
Binder Content
4.4.2 Determine Mixture Properties versus Asphalt
Binder Content
4.4.3 Select Design Asphalt Binder Content 77
4.5 Evaluation of Moisture Susceptibility 73
4.5.1 Boiling Water Test (ASTM D 3625)
7 8
4.5.2 Modified Lottman Test (AASHTO T 283) 79
4.5.3 Resilient Modulus Test (ASTM D 4123)
8 8
74
75
vii
COPYRIGHT UiTM
4.6 Statistical Analysis 95
4.6.1 Statistical Analysis of Tensile Strength Data 95
4.6.2 Statistical Analysis of Resilient Modulus Data 93
4.6.3 Statistical Analysis of RMR and TSR Data j
0
Q
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 The Suitability of Superpave System Using Local Aggregates \Q\
5.2 Effect of Unmodified and Rubber-Polymer Modified Binder 101
on Stripping Performance of HMA mixes
5.3 Effect of Antistripping Additive on Stripping Performance of 102
HMA mixes
5.4 Overall Conclusion
5.5 Recommendations
103
103
REFERENCES
1 0 5
APPENDICES
Appe ndix A Tests Apparatus and Samplings
Appe ndix B Superpave Mix Design Data and Analysis
Appe ndix C Data Sheets(Modified Lottman Test and Resilient
Modulus Test)
Appe ndix D Data Sheets Statistical Analysis
Appe ndix E Publications
Vlll
COPYRIGHT UiTM
LIST OF TABLES
No. Title Page
2.1 Factors Contributing to Moisture-Related Distresses 13
2.2 Generic Classification of Asphalt Additives 32
3.1 Consensus and Sources Aggregate Tests 45
3.2 Gradations 47
3.3 Superpave Aggregate Consensus Property Requirements 50
3.4 Gradation Criteria for 19mm Nominal Maximum Size Mixture 53
3.5 Gyratory Compactive Efforts in Superpave Volumetric Mix 54
Design
3.6 Superpave Volumetric Mix Design Criteria 55
4.1 Washed Sieve Analysis for Material Passing the 0.075 mm Sieve 65
4.2 Dry Sieve Gradation Analysis Result 65
4.3 Summarized of Bulk and Apparent Specific Gravity of Aggregate 66
4.4 Summarized of Aggregate Testing 66
4.5 Combined Gradation for Each Blend 67
4.6 Combined Average Aggregate Bulk Specific Gravity (G
S
b) and 68
Apparent Specific Gravity (G
sa
)
4.7 The Initial Binder Content (Pb.initiai) 69
4.8 Theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of Loose Mixture 70
and Bulk specified gravity of compacted mixture (G
m
b)
4.9 Compaction Summary of Trial Blends 71
4.10 Estimated Volumetric and Density Properties 72
4.11 Average Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity (G
mm
) of Loose 73
Mixture and Average Bulk Specified Gravity of Compacted
Mixture (G
m
b)
4.12 Volumetric Properties and Mixture's Compaction 74
ix
COPYRIGHT UiTM
4.13 Design Mixture Properties at Optimum Binder Content 76
4.14 Boiling Water Test Results 78
4.15 Indirect Tensile Strength (IDT) Results for Unconditioned and 79
Conditioned Samples for Binder Used at Different Test
Temperatures
4.16 Tensile Strength Ratio (%TSR) for Unmodified Binder and 81
Rubber-Polymer Modified Binder Mix at Different Test
Temperatures
4.17 Indirect Tensile Strength (IDT) Results of Unconditioned samples 82
for With and Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test
Temperatures
4.18 Indirect Tensile Strength Results of Conditioned Samples for With 84
and Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperatures
4.19 Tensile Strength Ratio (%TSR) Results for With and Without 85
Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperatures
4.20 Indirect Tensile Resilient Modulus (ITRM) Results for 87
Unconditioned and Conditioned Samples for Binder Used at
Different Test Temperatures
4.21 Resilient modulus Ratio (%RMR) for Unmodified Binder and 88
Rubber-Polymer Modified Binder Mix at Different Test
Temperatures
4.22 Indirect Tensile Resilient Modulus Results of Unconditioned 89
Samples for With and Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test
Temperatures
4.23 Indirect Tensile Resilient Modulus Results of Conditioned 91
Samples for With and Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test
Temperatures
4.24 Resilient Modulus Ratio (%RMR) Results for With and Without 93
Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperature
x
COPYRIGHT UiTM
4.25 Summary of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Mean and 95
Significance Value
4.26 Summary of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Homogeneous 96
Subsets
4.27 Summary of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Mean and 97
Significance Value
4.28 Paired Samples Test 98
COPYRIGHT UiTM
LIST OF FIGURES
No.
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Titles
Maintenance Budget per Kilometer for Federal and State Roads
Study Approach
Typical Appearance of Stripping in Compacted Mix
Sources of Water (Moisture) in an Asphalt Pavement Structure
Rutting in the Wheel Paths
Raveling of the Asphalt Pavement
Typical Localized Failure of HMA Pavement Due to Moisture
Page
3
7
11
12
14
14
15
2.6 Coating Without Chemical Bond in a Moist and Dry Environment 17
2.7 Stripping of Asphalt Film from the Aggregate Surface 18
2.8 Stiffness characteristics of Conventional Binder and Ideal Modified 29
Binder
2.9 Effect of anti-strip agent on surface bonding of aggregate and asphalt 36
3.1 Experimental Design of the Study 42
3.2 Procedure for Selection Design Aggregate Structure 52
3.3 Procedure for Selection of Design Asphalt Binder Content. 56
3.4 Outline Standard Procedure for Evaluation of Moisture Susceptibility 59
4.1 The Gradation Chart for Each Blend 68
4.2 Graph of Volumetric Properties Vs Asphalt Content (%AC) for Each 75
Mixture
4.3 Densification Curves at Nd
es
Verification 77
4.4 Indirect Tensile Strength of Unconditioned and Conditioned 79
Samples for Binder Used at Different Test Temperatures
4.5 Comparison of Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) for Binder Used at 81
Different Test Temperatures
xii
COPYRIGHT UiTM
4.6 Comparison of Indirect Tensile Strength of Unconditioned Samples 83
for With and Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperatures
4.7 Comparison of Indirect Tensile Strength of Conditioned Samples for 84
With and Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperatures
4.8 Comparison of Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) for With and Without 86
Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperatures
4.9 Indirect Tensile Resilient Modulus of Unconditioned and 87
Conditioned Samples for Binder Used at Different Test Temperatures
4.10 Comparison of Resilient Modulus Ratio (RMR) for Binder Used at 88
Different Test Temperatures
4.11 Comparison of Indirect Tensile Resilient Modulus Results of 90
Unconditioned Samples for With and Without Hydrated Lime at
Different Test Temperatures
4.12 Comparison of Indirect Tensile Resilient Modulus Results of 91
Conditioned Samples for With and Without Anti-Stripping Additives
at Different Test Temperatures
4.13 Comparison of Resilient Modulus Ratio (%RMR) for With and 93
Without Hydrated Lime at Different Test Temperatures
xiii
COPYRIGHT UiTM
LIST OF ABBREVIATION
AASHTO
ASTM
ACW
DOT
ESALs
HMA
%G
mm
%G
mb
JKR
MHA
Njnitial
JN design
-N maximum
NMAS
NCHRP
OAC
PEN
PG
PWD
SGC
SUPERPAVE
SHRP
VFA
VMA
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
American Society for Testing and Materials
Asphalt Wearing Course
Department of Transport
Equivalent Single Axle Loads
Hot Mix Asphalt
Theoretical Maximum Density
Bulk specific gravity of aggregates
Jabatan Kerja Raya
Malaysian Highway Authorities
Initial Compaction
Design Compaction
Maximum Compaction
Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size
National Cooperative Highway Research Project
Optimum Asphalt Content
Penetration
Performance Grade
Public Works Department
Superpave Gyratory Compactor
Superior Performing Asphalt Pavement
Strategic Highway Research Program
Voids in Filled with Asphalt
Voids in Mineral Aggregate
XIV
COPYRIGHT UiTM
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Ba ckground of St udy
Malaysia has been experiencing tremendous development in the national infrastructure
road network over the last decade. This has contributed to the accelerated growth in the
Malaysian economy. The Public Works Department alone is responsible to the total
extend of Malaysia roads network for about 61,075.32 kilometers of paved roads and
18,428.84 kilometers of unpaved roads and the Malaysia government spends on average
RM950 million in year 2005 for construction, maintenance and rehabilitation (JKR,
2005). Malaysian economic growth in rural areas has been triggered by good and safe
roads and highways network system. Highway pavement design in Malaysia has been
adopting the Marshall Method of mix design. Unfortunately, this design method does
not account for local environment and materials characteristic that contributed to
pavement failure on Malaysian roads. Furthermore, studies had shown that climate,
traffic condition, type and use of the mix, characteristics of the asphalt binder and the
aggregate are factors that can accelerate premature pavement failures (Terrell et al.,
1994).
One of the most common problems in flexible pavement in Malaysia is aggregate
stripping. Stripping of the pavement has been defined as weakening or eventual loss of
the adhesive bond usually in the presence of moisture between the aggregate surface and
the asphalt cement in a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement or mixture (Roberts et al.,
1991). When a weakening in the bond occurs, loss of strength of the HMA can be
sudden. Typically, stripping starts at the bottom of the HMA layer then propagate
upward. Stripping is one of the most difficult distresses to identify in hot mix asphalt
1
COPYRIGHT UiTM
(HMA) pavements from surface examination because the surface appearance can take
various forms such as rutting, shoving, raveling, or cracking (Roberts et al., 1991). The
only accurate way to ascertain that stripping is the cause of the distress is by physically
change to open up the pavement and observe the removed material. Hence laboratory
testing is usually used to evaluate the potential for moisture susceptibility in HMA.
There is only one mechanism of stripping; water getting between the thin layer of
bitumen and aggregate and detaches the bitumen. Water may reach the pavement
structure in several ways. Among them are; water in or improperly dried aggregate,
water from rainfall seeps through road shoulder, cracks, or porous pavement; subsurface
water from higher ground producing a hydrostatic head; capillary water from the sub
grade; and water vapour from the sub grade (Asphalt Institute, 1996). Moisture-related
problems according to Hicks et al. (2003):
Adhesive failurestripping of the asphalt film from the aggregate surface, or
Cohesion failureloss of mixture stiffness.
These mechanisms can be associated with the aggregate, the binder, or the interaction
between the two constituents.
In Malaysia, a large amount of money is currently allocated for road maintenance and
the amount is continuously^ncreasing as shown in Figure 1.1. The allocation showed an
increase of yearly maintenance for both Federal and State Roads during the same period.
Due to this problem, it has become necessary to improve the efficiency of the design of
hot mix asphalt (HMA) and also to improve asphalt cement for better performance and
safe riding comfort. The Superior Performing Asphalt Pavement (Superpave) mix design
(Asphalt Institute, 2001) and analysis system was introduced for this purpose. This
system offers solutions to pavement problems that had become common with the use of
traditional design systems such as Marshall and Hveem through a rational approach.
Currently, Superpave is an acronym for Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements, a new
2
COPYRIGHT UiTM
asphalt mixture design and analysis system that was developed by the Strategic Highway
Research Programme (SHRP) in the United States in the early nineties was intended to
provide better performing asphalt pavements.
Figure 1.1: Maintenance budget per kilometer for federal and state roads
(San and Sufian, 2002)
Most states in the United States have already replaced traditional Marshall mixture
design with the Superpave mixture design (Asphalt Institute, 2001). Early success with
this system has shown the potential to reduce asphalt pavement rehabilitation and
maintenance cost significantly. The Superpave system represents an improved system
for specifying asphalt binders, mineral aggregates, asphalt mixture design, analyzing and
establishing pavement performance. Superpave mixes are designed to resist permanent
deformation, provide fatigue resistance, durability and resistance to moisture damage
(Asphalt Institute, 2001). This new mix design system could be the right solution to
3
COPYRIGHT UiTM
replace the current Malaysia HMA mix. Therefore, it is timely that a study be carried out
to determine the possibility of using the new Superpave system instead of continuing
with the conventional Marshall system. The new system is expected to be able to reduce
the pavement failures in Malaysia, thus providing safer and longer lasting pavements for
road users and generations of users to come.
Currently, there are a number of additives that are available that can be added to the Hot
Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixture as a solution to the stripping problem and hence, create a
high performance pavements characteristics. For many years, polymers are used to
modify asphalt cement to increase the high temperature stiffness of the HMA mixture
which can reduce the probability of pavement failures. Previous research showed that
the incorporation of rubber or polymers to bitumen also has beneficial effects on
bitumen binders on road pavement. It would decrease the thermal susceptibility and
permanent deformation under load (rutting) and increased the resistance to low-
temperature cracking. It also brings greater adhesion to aggregate and increased tyre
traction (Uranga, 2000). Besides that, hydrated lime as an antistripping agent has been
used as an additive to help address moisture susceptibility problems. Studies have shown
that lime reduces the potential for moisture to distrupt the adhesive bond that exist
between the asphalt binder and aggregate (Roberts et al., 1996).
Therefore further investigation on the stripping performance of HMA mixture design
according to the Superpave system need to be carried out. It is worth to evaluate the
stripping performance of rubber-polymer modified asphalt mixes and also to evaluate
the effectiveness of antistripping additives on the HMA mixes. Finally, this research will
investigate and show that the use of hydrated lime as antistripping additives and the
modification of the binder by using rubber and polymer will reduce the stripping
problem.
4
COPYRIGHT UiTM
1.2 Proble m St a t e me nt
Stripping of aggregate from asphalt binder has been a common problem that results in
premature pavement failures in Malaysia. Malaysia being in tropical climate receives a
significant amount of rainfall throughout the year. Besides climatic factor such as
temperature and moisture, high traffic impact stress also have profound effect on the
durability of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavements against stripping failures.
Stripping happens when water infiltrates between an asphalt film and the aggregate
surface, and replaces the asphalt aggregate's coating. This situation causes a loss of bond
between the aggregate and the asphalt cement (Hunter et al., 2002). The most serious
consequence of stripping is the loss of strength and integrity of the pavement. Stripping
failures within the asphalt pavement structure can translate into various types of
pavement failure such as fatigue cracking, rutting, raveling and potholes. This condition
makes driving dangerous, and driving comfort and safety are often compromised. The
damage of asphalt pavements due to moisture also can significantly increase the
maintenance costs of a pavement and ultimately, reduce the life of the pavement.
Due to these problems, it has been seen increased interest to improve HMA mixture
properties for better performance and safe riding comfort. Therefore, there is a need to
introduce a new system of Superpave mix design to replace the current HMA mix for
improvement of pavement service life and eventually reducing the maintenance cost. It
is also crucial to evaluate stripping performance on modified binder with rubber-
polymer and also the addition of hydrated lime as antistripping additive to an HMA mix.
The need for evaluating the effectiveness of rubber-polymer modified binder and
antistripping additives to the HMA mixes is an important consideration in order to
reduce stripping problems and to create high pavements performance, and also to find
mixtures that can resist stripping problems due to moisture damage.
5
COPYRIGHT UiTM
1.3 Obje ct ive s
The primary objective of this research is to evaluate HMA stripping performance under
different mix design. In achieving the main objective, the secondary objectives of the
research are;
i. To conduct HMA mixture design according to the Superpave system using
local aggregates without and with additives,
ii. To evaluate stripping performance of unmodified and rubber-polymer
modified binder of HMA mixes,
iii. To evaluate the effects of antistripping additive on unmodified and rubber-
polymer modified binder of HMA mixes.
1.4 Hypot he sis
Several hypotheses were formulated for this study as follows;
i. The addition of rubber-polymer into bitumen will improve the stripping
performance of HMA pavement,
ii. Higher temperature testing may reduce the strength of the asphalt mix.
1.5 St udy Approa ch
The study approach mainly involves experimental work. The flow chart for the
research is shown in the Figure 1.2. The study focuses on the performance of Hot Mix
Asphalt (HMA) using Superpave methods. The Superpave mix design procedure
involves careful material selection and volumetric proportioning as a first approach in
producing a mix that will perform successfully. The four basic steps of Superpave
asphalt mix design are selection of material, selection of design aggregate structure,
selection of design asphalt binder content and evaluation of moisture susceptibility
using performance tests.
In this study, traffic level was selected based on common traffic level operating on most
Malaysia highways. The traffic will be limited to medium to high roadway application.
6
COPYRIGHT UiTM
Studv objectives
Literature review
Material selection
v
w
Aggregate testing
1
Asphalt selection
v
Selection of Design Aggregate Structure
w
Selection of design asphalt binder content
i '
I Evaluation of moisture susceptibility using performance
"
Analysis and results
i '
Conclusion
^ r
Conduct Superpave
Mix Designs
(Si Ndesign=100
Final submission report and presentation
Figure 1.2: Study approach
In Superpave system, medium to high traffic loadings is equivalent to between 3 to 30
million design equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) with 20 years design life. The
Superpave mix design procedure is used to determine the design aggregate structure and
asphalt binder content. Superpave volumetric mix design properties (VMA, VFA,
percent air voids, and dust proportion) were analyzed based on the Superpave criteria.
These volumetric properties are very important to asphalt mixtures, because these
volumetric properties significantly affect the durability and stability of mixtures
(Asphalt Institute, 1996). The most important goal of the Superpave mix design is the
evaluation of the moisture susceptibility of the design asphalt mixture. The purpose of
7
COPYRIGHT UiTM
this study to evaluate HMA stripping performance of modified binder and also evaluate
the effects of antistripping additive on asphalt mixtures using performance tests in
Superpave mix design procedure. Data collected throughout this study were analyzed
and summarized before proceeding to report writing.
1.6 Scope of t he St udy
This study consisted of evaluating dense graded Superpave mixes consisting of granite
aggregate with a 19 mm nominal maximum size and two types of asphalt binder:
unmodified binder and rubber-polymer modified binder. Granite aggregates from
Hanson quarry, Semenyih was used in all asphaltic mixtures in this study. The asphalt
binder was provided by SHELL. Hydrated lime was used as an antistripping agent. A
total of 4 type hot mix asphalt (HMA) design mixtures were evaluated in this study; (a)
Unmodified binder without hydrated lime (UMB) mix as control mixture; (b)
Unmodified binder with hydrated lime (UMBL) mix; (c) Rubber-polymer without
hydrated lime (RPMB) mix; and (d) Rubber-polymer with hydrated lime (RPMBL) mix.
Tests to evaluate stripping performance are Boiling Water Test, Modified Lottman Test
and Resilient Modulus Test.
1.7 Significa nce of t he St udy
The efficiency of the design of hot mix asphalt (HMA) for road or highways
infrastructure plays an important role in a develop country with tropical climate for
better performance and safe riding comfort. Thus, it is important to look seriously at
alternative asphalt technologies to ensure that the pavement failure due to stripping of
our road can be eliminated. Malaysia is one of the countries that adopt the Marshall
method, the most common method widely used in HMA mix design until today.
However, the Marshall mix design method only use the basic performance tests such as
Marshall stability and flow. These tests are empirical and furthermore, the procedure
does not present a performance based test. The Superpave mix design is a new method
of mix design currently used in the United States to replace Marshall mix method. This
study conduct a Superpave mix design and analysis to provide better performing asphalt
8
COPYRIGHT UiTM
pavements. This new mix design system could be the right solution to replace the current
Malaysia HMA mix for improving the pavement service life and eventually reducing the
maintenance cost in the long run.
A solution for high performance HMA pavements are a crucial part of our nation's
strategy for building a high performance transportation network for the future. This
study concentrates on the effectiveness of antistripping additives and rubber-polymer
modified binder to the new HMA Superpave mix design. These new approach could be
the right way to create pavement systems that will perform to the highest expectations
for many years. With prolonged service life of pavement, substantial amount of money
can be saved from reduced maintenance work, reduced congestion, lower pollution and
user costs during road work and from the conservation of natural resources, such as road
building materials. The success of this research will contribute to determine the
suitability of the new system with additives to address Malaysian condition and also to
reduce stripping problems on Malaysian roads.
9
COPYRIGHT UiTM